"Wine is sunlight, held together by water" - Galileo Galilei
The Color Red – Love, Passion, Life
But why is red wine red? We might think – Why? Isn’t it made from red grapes? Let us reveal the secret – it is not so! The red color of wine actually comes from compounds called anthocyanins. These compounds can be found in many plants – blueberries, radishes, blue flowers. It is these compounds that give all the shades of red, purple, and blue that we see in nature. Why? Because plants are extremely smart! Their colors are part of the evolutionary survival game! The vibrant colors attract specific insects and birds that participate in the processes of pollination and seed dispersal. This is an example of beauty that is closely linked to survival ability. An interesting fact is that with natural mutations, these genes can change, and the skins may not color or may have a different color (for example, pink). This is the case with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc – genetically identical, with the difference being only in the skin color.
But let’s get back to wine. The blue-red pigments are found in the grape skins, not in the juice. This is the key, because, as we will explain in detail below, red wine is fermented with the skins, while in white and rosé wines the skins are removed, losing the reddish tint. If the juice is extracted very quickly, the wine remains rosé or even white (blanc de noir – white wine from red grapes).
The distinctive part of red wines is that, besides the pigment, they contain more tannins than white or rosé wines, which determine the taste of the wines. Tannins are strong antioxidants.
Red Wine – As Old As Time
In the article “Wine – The Drink of the Gods,” we talked about the role of wine in ancient cultures and traditions as a whole. Today, however, we will delve deeply into the essence, history, creation, and everyday life of red wine. Here are some curious details about the crimson beverage and the ancient people’s perception of it:
- The Egyptians associated red wine with blood and used it in many rituals as a form of sacrifice or a way to appease the gods.
- In Ancient Greece, red wine was used in spring fertility festivals as the drink of the gods, dedicated to the beloved god Dionysus.
- In Judaism, red wine is central to the Kiddush – a prayer of sanctification associated with the celebration of major holidays and events. Sanctification happens by drinking red wine before the ritual meal.
- Last but not least, in Christianity, red wine is used as a symbol of the blood of Christ during the Holy Communion.
From Grapes to Red Perfection
We love our craft because it is ancient. Yes, of course, we have better storage vessels, modernized cellars, and innovations that facilitate the process. Yet… what we do as winemakers today is the same as what was done over 6000 years ago in Greece and Persia!
Preparation
We carefully select and cultivate our grape varieties (usually with a thin red to dark blue color) like Merlot, Rubin, Pamid, Cabernet Sauvignon, and others. The dark grapes are harvested in the fall, and the moment of harvest is crucial for achieving the best balance between acidity and sweetness so that the acidity is hidden, or if detectable, it is so light that it adds individuality to the taste. And when the time for wine production comes, the processes of pressing and/or crushing begin. In the past, grapes were mostly crushed, while in modern winemaking, presses are used to separate the stems from the berries. Since we are making red wine, the skins and seeds are not removed from the mixture. They are extremely rich in a class of polyphenolic biomolecules (beneficial plant compounds, which we discussed in more detail in this article) called tannins, which give the wine its characteristic taste, aroma, and body.
Fermentation
Next comes fermentation, where, with the help of yeast, the magic of wine happens. During this process, the desired sugar content, which is usually around 22-24%, is achieved. Fermentation usually occurs at a temperature of about 20-26 degrees Celsius, with the primary, more vigorous phase lasting about a week, after which the specific characteristics of the wine develop at a slower pace. During fermentation, yeasts and acid agents may be added to enhance the natural metabolism of the grapes.
Then follow the processes of racking the wine from the lees, aging the wine by exposing it to oxygen to achieve oxidation, and finally, bottling the wine with a cork.
Choose Red If…
If you love berries, then red wine is the right choice. The nose and taste of the beverage often contain the so-called berries – blackcurrants, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, chokeberries, and more! Of course, we add some surprises for the senses, such as…
- Notes of cappuccino, black pepper, and vanilla in the exceptional ruby red Reserva Rubin 2018.
- A nose with elegant notes of thyme, dried mint, licorice, and nuts in the Assemblage Cabernet § Pamid § Rubin 2018.
- Or why not violets and summer wildflowers and oregano in our Rubin without makeup?
How Does Your Favorite Wine Say More Than You Think?
Did you know that red wine lovers share some common character traits? Well, here are some specific things noticed in a study on the subject:
- Waking up early in the morning.
- A tendency towards introversion.
- Preference for dogs over cats.
- Preference for soothing music – swing, jazz.
- Love for adventures, but also for organization and order.
- Preference for more luxurious and specific tastes and aromas.
Of course, these are just possibilities, but did you recognize yourself in any of them?1
